A 20-member Central team from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), led by Shri Kunal Satyarthi, Joint Secretary (Policy and Plan), NDMA, undertook a critical three-day Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) in Sikkim. The assessment aimed to evaluate the losses and damages incurred due to the floods in Sikkim on October 3rd and 4th, 2023.
👉 During the assessment, the team visited and reviewed Mangan, Namchi, Pakyong, and Gangtok districts. They also had a meeting with the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri PS Tamang Golay.
👉 The PDNA included sectoral assessments covering the following areas for damage assessments and recovery planning
a. Social Sectors, encompassing Housing and Settlements, Education, Health and Nutrition, Public Buildings, and Civic Amenities (Urban and Rural).
b. Infrastructure, covering Drinking Water and Sanitation, Roads (Major District Roads/Other District Roads/Village Roads/Bridges), Power, and Irrigation (Minor Canals/Traditional Irrigation System). c. Productive sector, including Agriculture and Horticulture, along with Animal Husbandry and Livestock.
d. Cross-cutting verticals, such as Disaster Risk Reduction, Environment/Forest, and Environment.
The objectives of the PDNA were outlined as follows:
❖Estimate the overall impact of the event on the socio-economic development of the country at the national level and on affected states and communities.
❖Assess the effects and impacts of the disaster to develop a Recovery Strategy for early, medium, and long-term recovery and reconstruction needs, including costs and a timeline in a consolidated report.
❖Ensure that recovery strategies integrate concepts of disaster risk reduction, "build back better" and address gender and environmental concerns.
❖Develop a recovery strategy that is representative of the needs and priorities of the affected communities.
❖Recommend and define a strategy for Disaster Risk Management.
❖Recommend institutional mechanisms and policy options to support the recovery and reconstruction process, promoting long-term disaster resilience.
👉 The Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department Revenue, Government of Sikkim had requested NDMA to provide technical assistance for conducting a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) exercise after Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) reported that the floods had affected more than 25,000 people.
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NDMA in collaboration with Jharkhand Disaster Management Authority conducted an Orientation and Coordination conference in the run-up to the Table Top & Mock Exercise on Floods Disaster that was later held on 19th & 21st December 2023 respectively.

A Six-Member Inter-Ministerial Central team constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and led by Shri Kunal Satyarthi, Advisor (Policy and Plan), National Disaster Management Authority, visited parts of rain-hit areas on 12th – 14th December 2023 to make a spot assessment of the damage caused by Cyclone Michaung. The IMD on the 01st of December, 2023 issued a warning indicating a well-marked Low-Pressure Area over Southeast Bay of Bengal concentrated into a Depression, which would further intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. Cyclone “Michaung” (Migjaum) brought unprecedented continuous heavy rainfall to extremely heavy rainfall at Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram Districts causing flooding and inundation of many areas. Based on the observations of the IMCT Team a recommendation will be made to undertake immediate relief and restoration work for the affected state. The state had submitted a memorandum on 14th December 2023 in this regard.

National Disaster Management Authority, along with the officials and all stakeholders from the state of Jharkhand conducted a Table Top and Mock Exercise on Floods disasters on the 19th and 21st of December 2023 in which all 24 districts of the State participated simultaneously.

👉 The training session focused on honing the skills of key disaster managers, familiarizing them with their roles and responsibilities in simulated emergencies. The emphasis was on anticipating potential scenarios that might unfold in the upcoming major event, identifying any existing gaps, and developing effective response plans proactively.

NDMA in association with the Tripura Disaster Management Authority (TDMA) held a State-Level Table Top and Mock Exercise conducted on the Earthquake disaster for Tripura on the 19th and 21st December 2023 respectively.

👉 The mock exercise aimed:
🔸 to ensure the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders as per the Incident Response Systems.
🔸 to inculcate preparedness amongst the General masses.
🔸 to know the Resources available with the different departments.
👉 Representatives from the State Admin, District Administration & other stakeholders attended the exercise. Personnel from NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, CRPF, ITBP, BSF, State Police etc. also participated.

NDMA in collaboration with the GMR Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) organised a five-day training program on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Emergency Management from 18th- 22nd December 2023. The basic training aimed to enhance the preparedness of Airport Emergency Handlers in responding to CBRN emergencies, covering potential threats involving Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear materials within airport environments.

🔸 The comprehensive training included lectures, field exercises, and live demonstrations, focusing on detection and decontamination procedures. In addition to equipping emergency handlers with the skills to manage CBRN emergencies, the program aimed to enable them to provide medical first aid and initial psycho-social support.
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🔸 Mr. Patrick Muller COO of GMR Delhi International Airport Ltd, inaugurated the program, marking the fourth such training initiative held at GMR Delhi International Airport, Ltd.

NDMA organised the 8th Steering Committee meeting on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) based integrated alert system (#SACHET) Phase-I project to discuss the implementation & current status of the project with the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India and other stakeholders, under the chairmanship of Lt. Gen (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, Member, NDMA.

👉 Officials and representatives from the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Railways, Airports Authority of India, National Informatics Centre, Central Water Commission, INCOIS, India Meteorological Department, DRDO, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, Assam State Disaster Management Authority, ISRO, Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India participated in the meeting.

👉 The session with the respective stakeholders was a valuable opportunity to assess the milestones achieved and challenges encountered to enhance alerting mechanisms.

👉 The shared insights and strategic discussions during the meeting aim to create a robust framework for alerting that contributes to the safety and well-being of communities nationwide.

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